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44th Smuggling Operations: Volume II - Advanced Doctrine

Classified Operational Doctrine & Logistics Manual


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Foreword

This volume assumes you have mastered the Beginner's Guide. You know how to fly, how to trade, and how to upgrade your ship. Now it is time to learn how to operate as part of a professional smuggling outfit. The concepts in this manual are more complex and require a high degree of coordination and skill. These are the tactics that separate the 44th from common criminals.

Table of Contents

  1. The Professional Smuggler's Mindset
  2. Two-Ship Operations: The Buddy System
  3. Three-Ship Operations: The Full Fleet
  4. The Maze Route: A Detailed Breakdown
  5. Advanced Interdiction Survival
  6. Command & Risk Management

1. The Professional Smuggler's Mindset

Amateurs think about profit. Professionals think about risk mitigation. Our goal is not to make the most money on a single run; it is to generate consistent, reliable profit over hundreds of runs. This requires a shift in thinking.

  • Patience is a Virtue: The most profitable time to run cargo is when no one else is. This often means operating at odd hours or waiting for a server to quiet down. Rushing a run during peak hours is a recipe for disaster.
  • Boring is Good: An exciting smuggling run is a failed smuggling run. Our goal is a run where nothing happens. No interdictions, no scans, no close calls. We achieve this through meticulous planning, not through daredevil flying.
  • Intel is Everything: You mastered the basics of UEX Corp in the Beginner's Guide. Now, you must live by it. Check prices before every run. Check them again if the run is delayed. A 15-minute delay can be the difference between profit and loss. Furthermore, start using the other tools. Use Gallog.co to check route times and CStone Finder to pre-plan your next upgrade path.
  • Never Fly What You Can't Afford to Lose: This is the golden rule of the verse. Do not load your ship with more cargo value than you have in your bank account. If you have 1 million aUEC to your name, do not fly a 2 million aUEC load. A single mistake can wipe you out. Build your bankroll steadily.

2. Two-Ship Operations: The Buddy System

This is the most basic form of team operation and our standard for any run of significant value. It involves two ships with distinct roles: the Hauler and the Escort.

  • The Hauler: This is the cargo ship (e.g., C2 Hercules, MSR). The pilot's only job is to fly the route as efficiently as possible and to listen to the Escort.
  • The Escort: This is a dedicated fighter (e.g., Gladius, Vanguard). The pilot's job is to protect the Hauler.

Two-Ship Protocol: Step-by-Step

  1. Formation: The Escort flies in a loose formation, approximately 2-5km from the Hauler. The Escort should position themselves above and behind the Hauler to get the best possible sensor picture of the surrounding area.
  2. Communication: All communication must be clear and concise. Use a dedicated voice channel (Discord).
    • Hauler: "Beginning quantum jump to OM-1."
    • Escort: "Copy. Jumping with you."
  3. Quantum Travel: Both ships jump simultaneously.
  4. Interdiction Scenario:
    • If the Hauler is interdicted:
      • Hauler Pilot: "Interdicted! I am hit! Aligning escape vector!" The Hauler pilot immediately begins the A-B-C escape procedure.
      • Escort Pilot: "Copy! Engaging hostiles!" The Escort pilot immediately turns to fight the attackers, drawing their fire and buying the Hauler time. The Escort's ship is considered expendable; the cargo is not.
    • If the Escort is interdicted:
      • Escort Pilot: "Interdicted! I am hit! Hauler, you are clear! Continue to destination!"
      • Hauler Pilot: "Copy! Continuing mission." The Hauler does not stop. It continues the mission. The Escort is expected to handle their own escape or destruction.

This protocol is drilled until it is second nature. The preservation of the cargo is the only priority.

3. Three-Ship Operations: The Full Fleet

This is the pinnacle of our smuggling doctrine, employed for the highest-value and highest-risk operations. It adds a third role, the Scout, creating a highly resilient and informed convoy.

  • The Hauler: (e.g., C2 Hercules) - Carries the cargo. Follows instructions from the Scout and Escort.
  • The Escort: (e.g., Vanguard Warden) - Stays with the Hauler. Provides close protection.
  • The Scout: (e.g., Avenger Titan, Anvil Arrow) - The tip of the spear. Flies a fast, low-signature ship.

Fleet Roles Visualization:

Ship Roles

Convoy Delta formation showing the three critical roles in professional smuggling operations.

Three-Ship Protocol: Step-by-Step

This protocol demonstrates a level of professionalism that few organizations can match. It is a complex dance, and every pilot must know their steps perfectly.

  1. Phase 1: The Scout Jumps

    • The Scout departs the staging ground (e.g., Grim HEX) five minutes before the main fleet.
    • Scout Pilot: "Scout is away. Beginning jump to target system."
    • The Scout jumps to the destination system (e.g., Pyro).

  2. Phase 2: The Scout Reconnoiters

    • Upon arrival, the Scout does not immediately fly to the cargo outpost. Instead, they perform a sweep of the area.
    • Scout Pilot: "Scout is in-system. Beginning reconnaissance of the jump point. No contacts."
    • The Scout then proceeds to the destination outpost (e.g., Rupture Farms).
    • Scout Pilot: "Proceeding to Rupture Farms. Holding 20km out for observation."
    • The Scout observes the landing zone from a safe distance, looking for other players, suspicious ship activity, or NPC patrols. They must provide a detailed report.
    • Scout Pilot: "Fleet, be advised. Rupture Farms has one player ship on Pad 01, appears to be a Cutlass Black. No movement observed. Pad 03 is clear. The rest of the area is quiet. I assess the situation as low-risk. You are clear to jump at your discretion."

  3. Phase 3: The Main Fleet Jumps

    • Only after receiving the "clear to jump" call from the Scout does the main fleet (Hauler and Escort) begin their jump sequence.
    • Hauler Pilot: "Copy, Scout. Main fleet is spooling. Jumping now."

  4. Phase 4: The Landing and Overwatch

    • The Hauler proceeds directly to the cleared landing pad (Pad 03 in our example).
    • The Escort takes up a high overwatch position, 5-10km directly above the outpost, keeping its sensors focused on the surrounding space.
    • The Scout takes up a low overwatch position, circling the outpost at a distance of 2-3km, ready to intercept any immediate, ground-level threats.
    • Hauler Pilot: "Hauler is on the deck. Beginning cargo transfer."

  5. Phase 5: The Departure

    • Once the Hauler is fully loaded, the pilot announces their readiness.
    • Hauler Pilot: "Cargo is secure. Hauler is ready for departure."
    • Scout Pilot: "Copy. Scout is clearing the exit vector. Path is clear."
    • The Hauler takes off, followed closely by the Escort. The Scout remains in position until the main fleet has successfully entered quantum travel, ensuring no one is following them.
    • Scout Pilot: "Main fleet is away. No pursuit. Scout is RTB (Returning to Base)."

This intricate procedure minimizes the time our high-value assets are exposed to risk and ensures we have maximum information before committing our cargo to a potentially hostile environment.

Three-Ship Operations Flowchart:

Three-Ship Formation

The complete five-phase protocol for professional fleet operations. Each phase builds on the previous one to minimize risk.

4. The Maze Route: A Detailed Breakdown

In the Beginner's Guide, you learned the basic A-to-B path of the Maze route. Here, we dissect the professional execution, which is a far more nuanced operation involving a three-ship fleet.

Fleet Composition: * Scout: Anvil Arrow or Aegis Avenger Titan (low signature, high speed). * Escort: Aegis Vanguard Warden or RSI Constellation Andromeda (heavy firepower, high durability). * Hauler: C2 Hercules Starlifter.

Phase 1: The Pyro Incursion

  1. Scout Jump & Recon: The Scout jumps to the Pyro system alone. Their first task is to recon the jump gate itself. They will spend several minutes ensuring the gate isn't being camped by pirates. Only after confirming the gate is clear do they proceed to the target outpost (e.g., Rupture Farms).
  2. Outpost Surveillance: The Scout does not land. They find a concealed position within an asteroid cluster or other terrain feature, 15-20km from the outpost, and begin passive observation. They are looking for player activity, ship types, and any signs of a trap. They will report a full, detailed intelligence picture to the Fleet Commander (who is typically the Hauler pilot).

Phase 2: The Commitment

  1. Go/No-Go Decision: Based on the Scout's report, the Fleet Commander makes the final decision. If there is any significant doubt or a superior enemy force present, the mission is scrubbed. A "No-Go" call is made, and the Scout returns to Stanton. There is no shame in a scrubbed mission; there is only failure in a lost cargo hold.
  2. The Coordinated Jump: If a "Go" order is given, the Hauler and Escort jump simultaneously to the Pyro outpost. The Scout remains in their concealed overwatch position.

Phase 3: The Transaction

  1. Sterile Landing Zone: The Hauler lands on the pad designated as "clear" by the Scout. The Escort establishes a high-altitude (10km) Combat Air Patrol (CAP) directly over the outpost. The Scout moves to a low-altitude position to cover the Hauler's immediate vicinity.
  2. Efficient Loading: The Hauler pilot disembarks and purchases the entire commodity stock. The goal is to be on the ground for no more than five minutes. Every second spent stationary is a second spent vulnerable.

Phase 4: The Egress - OM Chaining

This is the most critical phase for avoiding interdiction on the return trip.

  1. The Undirected Departure: The Hauler takes off and points its nose into deep, empty space, away from the direct path to the Stanton jump gate. The Escort forms up on its wing.
  2. The First Random Jump: The Fleet Commander selects a random, distant OM (e.g., Pyro OM-4) and the Hauler/Escort fleet jumps to it.
  3. The Second Random Jump: From that OM, a second, different OM is chosen (e.g., Pyro OM-6). The fleet jumps again.
  4. The Final Approach: Only after at least two random OM jumps does the fleet plot a final course to the Stanton Jump Point. This "OM Chaining" makes our return vector almost impossible for pirates to predict and intercept.
  5. The Scout follows the main fleet out, acting as a rearguard to detect any pursuit.

5. Advanced Interdiction Survival

Escaping an interdiction in a fleet is not the same as escaping alone. It requires iron discipline and a clear understanding of roles.

The unbreakable Rule: The Hauler Lives

The Hauler, and the cargo within it, is the only thing that matters. The Escort and Scout ships are expendable assets. Their pilots are expected to sacrifice their ships without hesitation to ensure the Hauler escapes. If you are an Escort pilot, you must accept that your job is to die, if necessary, for the sake of the mission.

Fleet Escape Protocol

  1. Clear Communication: The instant a ship is interdicted, the pilot must make a clear, calm call. "Interdicted. Hauler hit. Single contact, appears to be a Cutlass Black." Information is critical.
  2. Role Execution:
    • Hauler: The Hauler pilot's only job is to execute the A-B-C escape. They align with the escape vector, hit the afterburner, and charge the drive. They do not deviate. They do not attempt to fight. They do not wait for their friends. They run.
    • Escort: The Escort pilot immediately targets the attacking ship(s) and engages. Their goal is not necessarily to win the fight, but to be such a significant and immediate threat that the attackers are forced to deal with them instead of the fleeing Hauler. The Escort must position themselves between the attackers and the Hauler's escape path.
    • Scout: The Scout's role is to support the Escort. They will engage the primary target's wingmen or use their speed to make harassing attacks, further dividing the enemy's attention.
  3. Countermeasures: As the Hauler is escaping, the pilot should be deploying countermeasures. A continuous stream of decoys (press 'H' repeatedly) can confuse enemy missile locks. A noise burst (press 'G') can temporarily break a target lock, giving you a precious extra second.

Interdiction Escape Decision Tree:

Interdiction Escape

Role-specific response protocols during interdiction. The Hauler's survival is the only priority.

6. Command & Risk Management

Leading a smuggling operation is a position of immense responsibility. The Fleet Commander is a risk manager, not a daredevil.

The Abort Authority

The Commander has the final say, but any pilot in the fleet can call for an abort. A junior Scout who feels a situation is too dangerous has the authority and the responsibility to say so. The standing abort conditions are:

  • Superior Force: The presence of an enemy force that we cannot confidently defeat (e.g., a lone Cutlass Black is an engagement; a Hammerhead is an abort).
  • Compromised Landing Zone: Evidence that the landing zone is being actively camped or trapped.
  • Unstable Server: If the server is experiencing significant lag, desync, or other performance issues, the risk of error is too high. The mission is scrubbed.
  • Negative Profitability: If a last-minute check of UEX Corp shows the run is no longer profitable, the mission is scrubbed. We do not risk assets for zero gain.

Managing Volatility (PTU 4.5 and beyond)

The introduction of a dynamic economy changes the game. A Commander must now be a market analyst.

  • The 80% Rule: On a volatile commodity, never invest 100% of your available capital. Hold back at least 20%. If you have 1,000,000 aUEC, your maximum cargo buy-in should be 800,000 aUEC. This ensures that if the market crashes mid-flight, you have the capital to recover and are not wiped out.
  • Time is Risk: The longer volatile cargo is in your hold, the more risk you are exposed to. Advanced operations prioritize speed above all else. This may mean choosing a slightly less profitable route that is 10 minutes faster.
  • Accepting Loss: Losses will happen. A ship will be destroyed. A cargo will be lost. This is the cost of doing business. A good Commander has a contingency fund and a plan to get their pilots back in the fight. They analyze the loss, learn from it, and immediately begin planning the next run. We do not dwell on failure; we learn from it and continue.